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About Erysipelas

This information is intended for general information only and should not be considered as medical advice on the part of Health-Tourism.com. Any decision on medical treatments, after-care or recovery should be done solely upon proper consultation and advice of a qualified physician.

What is erysipelas?

It is a superficial type of cellulitis, a potentially severe bacterial infection, which affects the skin.

Erysipelas afflicts the upper dermis and advances into the superficial cutaneous lymphatics. It's also called St. Anthony's fire, with reference to the severe rash related to it.

Causes of erysipelas?

Erysipelas is often caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. The disease might affect both adults and kids.

Some conditions which may result in erysipelas are:

A cut in the skin

Issues with drainage through the lymph or vein system.

Skin sores (ulcers)

The infection takes place on the legs in most cases. It can as well occur on the face.

Who is at risk?

Erysipelas mostly affects babies and the senior, but may affect any age group. Risk factors are much like those for other types of cellulitis. They might include:

Previous episode(s) of erysipelas

Breaks in the skin barrier because of ulcers, insect bites and chronic skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis and athlete’s foot

Prior or Present injury ( eg radiotherapy, trauma, surgical wounds)

In infants, vaccination site injury and exposure of the umbilical cord

Cavernous sinus thrombosis (hazardous blood clots which can extend to the brain)

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (rare)

How is erysipelas diagnosed?

Erysipelas is often diagnosed by the characteristic rash. There's usually a history of a relevant injury. Examinations might disclose:

Raised white cell count

Raised C-reactive protein

Positive blood culture identifying the organism

CT and MRI are performed in the event of deep infection.

What is the treatment for erysipelas?

General

Analgesics and cold packs to ease local discomfort

Elevation of an infected limb to decrease local inflammation

Compression stockings

Wound care using saline dressings, which are with saline dressings regularly changed

Antibiotics

Intravenous or oral penicillin is the antibiotic of first choice.

Pristinamycin, Erythromycin or roxithromycin can be used in patients with penicillin allergy • Vancomycin is used for facial erysipelas due to MRSA

Treatment is often for 10–14 days

For many people, antibiotics will effectively treat erysipelas within one week. But it might take more than one week for the skin to get back to normal, and peeling might take place in the affected areas. Those who have persisted episodes of erysipelas might require long-term preventive antibiotic treatment.

Without treatment, you might be susceptible to numerous complications, which include:

an abscess

blood clots

gangrene that refers to the death of body tissue

blood poisoning, it occurs when the infection spreads all through your bloodstream

infected heart valves

Bone and joint bone infections

How Can Erysipelas Be Prevented?

Though erysipelas cannot often be prevented, you can take the following measures to reduce your risk:

Always keep wounds clean.

Treat athlete’s foot in case you have it.

Use moisturizing creams to prevent skin from drying and cracking.

Try not to scratch your skin.

Make Ensure any skin conditions, like eczema, are addressed effectively.

When to consult a doctor

Contact your health care provider if you have a skin sore and other the signs of erysipelas.